“If I get them both she would also be sad,” agreed Izwan in Bahasa.

His ex-wife doesn’t share his feelings on the matter. She expected the Federal Court to uphold the High Court order granting her custody of both her children. Izwan allegedly kidnapped Mitran two days after she obtained custody.

Irwan, formerly known as N Viran, added that although he has been allowed by the Court to meet Sharmila only once every two months, he believes they can still maintain a father-daughter relationship. “I can still call her. There’s no problem,” he said. “She’s still after all my flesh and blood.”

He stressed that he would of course not agree if Sharmila, now with her mother, leaves Islam when she reaches 18 years old.

“But as a parent, I would have done my best in teaching the religion to her. If she wants to leave, that will be between her and Allah.”